Wednesday, 22 October 2014

KCW: Knight Hoodie

When there's a million other things to do, and then Kid's Clothes Week rolls around, that there is the perfect excuse to stop and sew!

I'm working on one or two things which I may not be able to show you before the week is out, so I thought it was the perfect time to share something I'd made earlier.

I fell hard for this pattern when I saw Sophie sew it up during a KCW past, and I knew P would adore it. It's costume-y enough that grown ups can't help but smile when they see it, yet a 6 year old thinks it's perfect as an everyday hoodie.

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I found a lovely, soft sweater fleece and then just happened to have exactly the right dark grey ribbing from when I stocked up on ribbings from the Ottobre Etsy shop. The 2x2 ribbing is the perfect weight for a jacket or pullover. The buttons and metallic silver (plastic) zip were an easy find from Spotlight.

The Charming Doodle pattern comes as a PDF which tiles together nicely and is well illustrated with clear instructions. I'm a stickler for finishes so I was a bit baffled to find no mention of finishing any seams. I know knits don't fray but it just doesn't feel right to leave them alone.

I sewed the hoodie on the sewing machine, but finished all seam allowances with the overlocker. The only spot this was slightly tricky was the hood seam where the armour is. Tricky, but still worth doing, especially as when the hood is down this seam will be somewhat visible.

The other part that had me wondering if I should deviate from the pattern was the lack of any facing or zipper shield. As I was sewing I was thinking that the quality of the finish was definitely going to fall into the category of "costume". I really needn't have worried as it doesn't look bad at all. There is now a teen and adult sized pattern and I'm pleased to see that a zipper and hood facing is used to finish the front.

Obviously, P loves it. I sewed a straight size 6 and the fit is perfect. Leaving off all the armour, this could also be a great pattern for an everyday windproof fleece hoodie. The muffler style raised front collar would be ideal for cold, winter walks to school.

But with the armour, I guess it's a little bit on theme with Kid's Clothes Week storybook theme...

I'm amazed, and a little disappointed, that I haven't found the time to really embrace the theme for this season. I am nuts for books, and adore throwing some literary references into my sewing. I've had plenty of ideas and really enjoyed imagining some book themed clothes. They just aren't going to get made this week.

Perhaps the best thing about the Knight Hoodie is this: Even a bit-of-a-hippie mum who won't normally buy any weapon toys is prepared to bend the rules when it comes to a blogpost featuring the Knight Hoodie. It's just too much fun not to co-ordinate with a sword!

This is so, so fantastic! The fabric is perfect and you've done a great job. I don't think I'd have the patience for all those details... oh, and as for weapons, I'm against them too, but I defend my right to carry a water pistol (and to drench my kids with it)!

Thank you Marisa. I've been a bit spoiled by Oliver + S and so I was aware that without any notches it would be easy to make the armour wonky. It looks like it came out OK to me too. First rule of water fights, be the one with the bucket! :)